FG launches NAITS to track livestock

AS part of efforts to address the challenges bedeviling the livestock sector, the Federal Government has launched the National Animal Identification and Traceability System (NAITS) to identify, track and curb livestock rustling.

Launching the Minister, Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development, Dr. Mohammad Mahmood Abubakar, at an event in Minister’s Conference room recently, said that the implementation of NAITS would support livestock owners to identify their animals, curb livestock rustling, facilitate interventions in the livestock sector.

“It will also provide provision of credit and insurance, livestock movement control, animal recording for genetic improvement and research, ease of traceability, surveillance, animal disease control among others.”

He further emphasized that the NAITS was a comprehensive animal information management system that would utilize forgery-proof ear tags and cattle passports combined with digital technology to identify and track livestock across Nigeria, noting that the system complies with the global standards stipulated by the International Committee for Animal Recording (ICAR). 

Earlier, the Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development, Dr. Ernest Umakhihe represented by the Director Human Resources Management, Mrs. Oluwatoyin Alade, explained that as part of the National Livestock Transformation Plan of the country, animal identification and traceability system would facilitate keeping accurate production records of the herd and information about the owner amongst others.